Method for the solidification of molten sulphur

ABSTRACT

A method of solidifying molten sulphur involves forming on a belt at least one undulation which is shaped to permit the formation of a pool of molten sulphur. Molten sulphur is fed onto the belt so that a pool is formed on the undulation. The speed of the belt is controlled in relation to the feed rate of the sulphur and in relation to the angle and length of the surface of the undulation remote from a feeding section for the sulphur so that molten sulphur is caused to form into a layer and solidify on the belt as it passes through the pool. Cooled or partially cooled sulphur is then delivered from the surface of the belt. The angle of undulation extending upwardly and away from the feeding section is normally within the range of 1/2 * to about 3*. Apparatus for use in the solidification of molten sulphur is also provided. A cooling tank assembly provided with a plurality of generally transversely disposed baffles includes means for directing a supply of air into the assembly with an air deflector embodied in the cooling tank structure.

[451 May 27, 1975 METHOD FOR THE SOLIDIFICATION OF MOLTEN SULPHUR [75]Inventors: Ernest Ralph Ellithorpe; Ronald Bruce Fletcher, both ofCalgary, Alberta, Canada [73] Assignee: Vennard & Ellipthorpe Ltd.,

Calgary, Alberta, Canada [22] Filed: Mar. 4, 1974 [21] Appl. No.:448,152

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 207,909, Dec. 14,1971, Pat. No.

[52] US. Cl. 23/293 S; 23/308 S; 23/273 R; 62/345; 423/578 [51] Int. Cl.C0lb 17/02; COlb 17/14 [58] Field of Search 23/293 A, 293 S, 308 S,

23/273 R, 273 F, 308 R, 308 S, 267 S, 295; 62/345; 423/567, 578

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 712,347 10/1902 Wheelwright23/273 R 1,004,858 10/1911 Dow 23/273 R 1,317,625 9/1919 Huff 23/267 S1,366,474 1/1921 Merz 23/273 R 1,378,084 5/1921 Bacon 23/293 S 1,841,6971/1932 Andrews... 23/308.5 2,035,990 3/1936 Siegler 23/273 L 2,902,7199/1959 Hindes 23/273 R 3,282,653 11/1966 Robota 23/293 A MOLTEN SULPHlR3,807,141 4/1974 Estep 23/270.5

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,221,874 l/1960 France 23/308 S PrimaryExaminer-Norman Yudkoff Assistant Examiner-S. .1. Emery Attorney, Agent,or Firm.loel E. Siege]; Charles M. Kaplan [57] ABSTRACT A method ofsolidifying molten sulphur involves forming on a belt at least oneundulation which is shaped to permit the formation of a pool of moltensulphur. Molten sulphur is fed onto the belt so that a pool is formed onthe undulation. The speed of the belt is controlled in relation to thefeed rate of the sulphur and in relation to the angle and length of thesurface of the undulation remote from a feeding section for' the sulphurso that molten sulphur is caused to form into a layer and solidify onthe belt as it passes through the pool. Cooled or partially cooledsulphur is then delivered from the surface of the belt. The angle ofundulation extending upwardly and away from the feeding section isnormally within the range of /2 to about 3. Apparatus for use in thesolidification of molten sulphur is also provided. A cooling tankassembly provided with a plurality of generally transversely disposedbaffles includes means for directing a supply of air into the assemblywith an air deflector embodied in the cooling tank structure.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 27 I915 SHEET ZmPJOS v sumPATENTEDMAYZ? m COOLING TANK SENSITIVE BELLOWS l3 PRESSURE 9 LIQUIDLEVEL CONTROL TEMPERATURE (c.)

FIG.4

I I I I I METHOD FOR THE SOLIDIFICATION OF MOLTEN SULPHUR This is adivision of application Ser. No. 207,909, filed Dec. 14, 1971 now U.S.Pat. No. 3,832,145.

This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for thecooling and solidification of molten sulphur.

The present invention is a further development of and presents analternative method and apparatus to that which is specifically taught inthe applicants U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,005 issued Aug. 15, 1972 in the nameof E. R. Ellithorpe and R. B. Fletcher entitled Method and Apparatus forthe solidification of Molten Sulphur. U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,005 disclosesa method and apparatus for the solidification of molten sulphur, oneembodiment of which involves the tilting of the surface of the movablemember at selected points along its length so as to cause molten sulphurto flow transversely from one side of the surface to the other. Anotherembodiment disclosed in the aforesaid patent involves dipping orsequential dipping of the sulphur layer into a bath or series of bathsof water arranged along the surface of the movable belt.

Further experimental work and practical experience since the filing ofthe application for the aforementioned patent have enabled the applicantto develop the alternative method and apparatus and special techniqueswhich may be advantageously used at industrial scale levels. The needfor further and better techniques in the treatment, cooling andsolidification of molten sulphur has been readily apparent to menskilled in the art. It is a main object of the present invention to fillthat need by the present method and apparatus which may be used with ahigh level of efficiency and accuracy of control on an industrial scalelevel and on a large volume basis.

The main aspect of the present invention taught herein includes a methodand an apparatus for solidifying molten sulphur and also a method ofcooling sulphur prior to its subjection to the method of solidification.A structural assembly adapted for the preliminary cooling of moltensulphur is also envisaged by the present invention.

The broad aspects of the method of solidifying molten sulphur of thepresent invention include the steps of providing a movable member whichis so surfaced as to inhibit the adherence of sulphur thereto andforming on that member at least one undulation which is shaped to permitthe formation of a pool of molten sulphur thereon. Molten sulphur is fedonto the member from a feeding section at a predetermined rate such thata pool of molten sulphur is caused to form in said undulation. The speedof the member is controlled in relation to the feed rate of the sulphurand in relation to the angle and length of the inclination of saidundulation which is remote from said feeding section so that'moltensulphur is caused to form into a layer and solidify on said member as itpasses through and from said pool. Cooled or partially cooled sulphur ina stage of solidification is delivered from the surface.

It should be noted than when reference is made to the term pools herein,the term should be broadly interpreted as a formation of molten sulphuralong the length of the supporting belt which is deeper or thicker thanthe layer of sulphur fed onto and carried by the remaining section ofthe belt. No special shape or limiting dictionary definition should beattributed to the term pools except that which is clear to the manskilled in the art from the nature of the teachings herein.

The apparatus aspect of the present invention broadly comprises amovable belt which is capable of supporting a layer of molten sulphurthereon. Means are included for the feeding of molten sulphur onto thenormally upper surface of said movable belt and the upper surface isshaped to define at least one undulation along the length thereof. Theundulation in the apparatus is such as to permit the formation of a poolof molten sulphur thereon. Means are provided for controlling the feedrate of the molten sulphur onto the belt as well as means forcontrolling the speed of the belt and means for delivering cooled orpartially cooled sulphur from the belt.

The method and apparatus used for cooling the molten sulphur prior toits delivery onto the movable belt broadly comprises a housing which hasa plurality of generally transversely disposed baffles mounted therein.A tank section is adapted to hold a predetermined level of moltensulphur therein. The baffles in the housing are so arranged as to permitthe gravity flow of molten sulphur thereover into the tank section ofthe assembly. Means are provided for directing a supply of air into theassembly and onto the surface of the molten sulphur. An air deflector ispositioned to deflect incoming air onto the surface of the moltensulphur and be warmed thereby whereby the warmed cooling air ispermitted to impinge upon at least the lowermost baffles in the assemblyso as to inhibit the freezing of partially cooled sulphur therein. Meansmay also be provided for sensing the level of molten sulphur in the tanksection and maintaining that level substantially constant.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings which illustratepreferred embodiments of the invention and in which;

FIG. 1 is diagrammatic layout of one embodiment of the present inventionillustrating the formation of undulations and sulphur pools along thelength of the belt;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 with thesulphur cooling tank omitted therefrom;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a cooling tank for preliminary coolingof molten sulphur;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the cooling tank of FIG. 3 and oneform of liquid level control for the molten sulphur; and

FIG. 5 is a chart showing a sulphur curve and the operating sulphurtemperature upon the initial application to the belt.

With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the cooling tank' 1and the manner by which partially cooled liquid sulphur is fed throughconduit 2 onto the belt 3 by means of valve control 4. Since thepreliminary cooling of the sulphur in the cooling tank 1 is the firstpreferred step in the present invention, it would be appropriate tofirst describe this aspect before proceed! ing with a description of thefurther solidificatiori stejps.

One or more sulphur cooling tanks may be fi 'nployed in the presentinvention. The number of coolingltanks used is not critical. The numberand shap e of' fcooling tanks will be determined by factors sucli asconvenience and economics and the volume of sulphur to be cooled priorto feeding onto the belt 3. The cooling tank 1 has a housing 40. Aplurality of generally transversely disposed baffles S are mountedwithin the houstng 40. The baffles are so mounted and spaced as topermit a volume of molten sulphur to be fed into the upper portion 6 ofthe tank to flow downwardly in steplike fashion into the base 7 ofthetank. The gravity flow of the molten sulphur over the baffles 5facilitates the cooling of the sulphur. Additionally, a supply of airmay be introduced into the housing 4 by means of fan 8 illustrated inFIG. 3. The supply of air may be introduced at a point immediately abovethe level 9 of the liquid sulphur. The air is thus permitted to flowupwardly around the baffles 5 and so further facilitates the cool ing ofthe downwardly flowing molten sulphur. It has been found in this waythat appreciable cooling of the sulphur may be effected prior to itsfeeding onto the belt 3. For example, in normal processing sulphurhaving a temperature of 280285F may be received into the cooling tank 1and cooled to approximately 260- Z63F before it is discharged therefromto the belt 3. A deflector 10 is mounted within the housing 4. Thedeflector 10 is positioned to divert at least a portion of the incomingair from fan 8 onto the surface 9 of the molten sulphur so warming theair by such contact. The slightly warmed air may thus act to inhibit thefreezing of the partially cooled molten sulphur passing over thelowermost baffles 5 before the air passes upwardly over the remainingbaffles 5 providing an advantageous cooling effect and is subsequentlyexhausted from the housing.

The control of the temperature of the molten sulphur may be furtherfacilitated by the provision of a suitable louver structure disposedoutwardly of the fan 8. The louver structure may be electricallyconnected to temperature sensitive devices whereby a change in temperature of the molten sulphur within the tank 1 would be readily sensedand automatically cause an adjustment ll'l the position of the louver tocontrol the air intake and so control the cooling effect. Temperaturecontrol llS a factor in the production of good quality sulphur productsand therefore should be carefully regarded. For example, if thetemperature of the sulphur is too low, the sulphur may freeze on theupper surface of the laminate during the course of formation and so formundesirable rough areas of sulphur. On the other hand, if thetemperature of the sulphur is too hot there may remain a liquid sulphurphase in the product subjected to the method herein and such productwould be regarded as of inferior quality.

in order to avoid the use of sulphur pumps, the cooling tank I may bedisposed at a height greater than the belt 3. The height differentialshould be such as to enable satisfactory flow through valve meansdisposed above the surface of the belt 3. In one embodiment of theprocess the lowermost length of the belt 3 may be disposed approximately4 feet from the ground while the bottom 11 of the cooling tank may bedisposed approximately l0 feet from the ground. In order to maintainconstant flow onto the belt 3 it is desirable to maintain the level ofsulphur in the cooling tank 1 constant. suitable level control systemmay be selected by the man skilled in the art to perform the function oflevel control in this process. One suitable level control system isillustrated schematically in FIG. 4 in association with the coolingtank 1. The level control 12 illustrated in FIG. 4 embodies the use ofpressure sensitive bellows l3. the operation of which will be known tothe man skilled in the art. In the operation of the method ac cording tothe present invention, it is preferable to isolate the cooling tank fromatmospheric conditions. Such isolation provides more control of thedegree of cooling which is desired for molten sulphur. If the coolingtank 1 is subjected to atmospheric conditions such as severe cold andsevere heat, the cooling characteristics of the sulphur may accordinglybe deleteriously affected.

Following the preliminary cooling of the molten sulphur in the tank 1 aspreviously outlined. molten sulphur is fed by gravity through conduit 2and valve 4- onto the upper surface of movable belt 3. The moltensulphur is fed onto the belt in such a way that it preferably tends tospread out or disperse transversely across the surface of the belt 3 sothat the largest possible area of the surface is utilized thusfacilitating more rapid, uniform and efficient cooling andsolidification. As can be seen from FIG. 1 the belt 3 is mounted forrotation and operation on an arrangement of conventional rollers andsupporting structures indicated at l2, l3, l4 and 15 respectively.However, since the means of supporting and permitting rotation of theendless belt 3 are well known in the art, no detailed illustration orparticularization will be presented thereon. The belt 3 and itssupporting structure is housed generally and substantially within a bathstructure 16 which has a coolant fluid such as water contained therein.The water is preferably of such a level that it provides at least somesupport for the belt 3. If the level of the water is carefullycontrolled and gauged the surface of the water could provide significantsupport for the belt along a substantial section of the length thereof.Supporting structures 17 are structured and positioned to providecarefully controlled undulations and inclinations along predeterminedlengths of the belt 3 as is illustrated by the undulations in FIG. 1designated generally at l8, l9 and 20. The inclined surfaces indicatedfor example by 21 and 22 form apexes as indicated at 23, 24 and 25 atthe points where the supporting structures 17 contact and support thebelt 3. It will be noted that the supporting structures 17 are alsosubstantially immersed in the water contained in the bath structure 16.Since the underside of the belt 3 is normally well wetted on its surfacefrom the water contained in the bath structure 16, the water thusprovides an effective lubricant to facilitate the smooth movement of theunderside of the belt 3 over the supporting structure 17 and accordinglyminimizes the co-efficient of friction between the two elements byvirtue of this lubrication. It may also be possible to provide rotatablestructures associated with the supporting structure 17 which rotate asthe belt 3 passes thereover but this expedient has not been found eithernecessary or preferable by present experience and a non-movablestructure 17 provides no serious disadvantages or seriously objectionalwear characteristics.

The section of the belt designated generally at 20 and disposedgenerally remote from the feeding end of the belt 3 is shaped so that itdepends into the water contained in the bath structure 16. Thisarrangement enables the partially cooled and partially solidifiedsulphur formed on the belt 3 to be subjected to a quench ing action byits immersion in the bath water.

FIG. 1 illustrates a piping and recirculating system for the bath water.A water pump 26 is adapted to receive water from the bath 16 and pump itthrough conduit means 27. A water cooling section designated generallyat 28 is adapted to cool the recirculated water before it isre-introduced into the bath at point 29 in FIG. 1. The cooling systemfor the recirculated water may be any conventional cooling arrangement.An air fan cooler is shown diagrammatically at 28 as an indication ofone cooling arrangement which would be acceptable.

It has been found expedient to provide a transversely disposedperforated member 30 so that it receives a supply of water throughbranch conduit 31 and substantially saturates a felt doctor 32. Theprovision of this arrangement ensures that the belt 3 is continuouslymoistened so as to inhibit the firm adherence of sulphur thereto. Inpractice it has been found that if the perforated member 30 issufficiently well supplied with water so as to saturate the felt doctor32 associated therewith when the belt 3 is contacted by the'doctor, asmall pool of water develops rearwardly of the doctor 32 thus ensuringcontinuous moistening of the belt.

Air fans 33 may be disposed above the belt 3 for the purpose ofdirecting cooling air onto the layer of sulphur being formed on the belt3 essentially for the purpose of facilitating the cooling process.

It has been found in practice that as the belt 3 moves through and fromthe successive pools of molten sulphur arranged along the length of thebelt at predetermined intervals, a layer of sulphur forms on the surfaceof the belt the thickness of which increases as the belt passes througheach successive pool. Similarly the viscosity of the sulphur increasesas the belt progresses along the length of the bath. Although tests havenot been undertaken to determine the precise operable range of angles ofincline which may be permitted on thebelt 3 for good results, insubstance it appears that the angle of the incline of the undulations 18should be sufficient to successfully receive a layer of molten sulphurfrom the pool formed on the belt 3 and be carried upwardly to the apexof the belt undulation. It has been found in practice that a small angleof incline in the undulations of approximately to 1 is sufficient toachieve good results. In linear terms this inclination may be expressedas a raise of approximately 2 inches over a length of approximately 6feet. It has been found that 2 or possibly 3 pools of molten sulphur maybe employed in the successful operation of the process of the presentinvention. With the employment of 2 or 3 pools .of molten sulphur thelength of the belt may advantageously be approximately 80 feet. Thefinal inclined surface 34 may usefully be approximately 20 feet inlength at the normally disposed upper surface thereof. It may be notedthat a main purpose of the final inclination 34 of the belt 3 is toenable surface water to be drained from the upper surface of thesolidified sulphur layer which at that stage of the process will beformed on the surface of the belt prior to its ejection from theapparatus in sheet or slate-form at the pointindicated at D in FIG. 1.

The distance between the apex of the second and third undulations 18 isnot believed to be absolutely critical and it is suggested that thesedistances may be adjusted for the purpose of ensuring the maximumcooling effect. The precise depth of the pool formed on the belt mayvary but a main object should be to seek to utilize the fullest possibleexpanse of the belt 3 in the sulphur cooling and solidification process.Bath depths of between approximately /2 inch and 1 inch may becontemplated for successful use in operation.

It is not the purpose or intention of the present process to obtain alaminated structure such as is precisely taught and recommended incertain of the prior art. Although additional and successive layers ofsulphur are developed as the belt 3 moves through the pools formedthereon, the additional sulphur picked up on the sulphur layer formingon the belt tends to increase the thickness of the originally formedlayer of sulphur rather than forming a separate and distinct layer orlamination in the final product. This result may be a function of theparticular process involved including considerations such as belt speedand sulphur viscosity. Nevertheless it is preferred to avoid theformation of a laminated structure since laminated structures appear tohave a tendency to split or become deformed at the point of lamination,a deficiency and weakness which is not readily apparent in a unifiedsulphur formation.

A belt speed of 67 feet per minute has been found to be useful inpractice. However, an operable range of belt speeds may be from 45 tofeet per minute. The speed of the belt is, however, related to thespecific temperature of the molten material. The speed of the belt willremain constant having been selected. It may be said the the cooler theproduct, the more molten sulphur may be fed onto the belt to achievesuccessful results.

One of the functions of the provision of a plurality of pools of moltensulphur along the length of the bath is to ensure the fullestdistribution of the sulphur over the transverse area of the belt so asto ensure the quickest and most efficient cooling thereof. As thesulphur is passed from the first to the second pool, cooling is effectedin such a way that the viscosity index of the sulphur increases and bythis increase a greater portion of the sulphur is picked up and carriedon the inclined surface of the undulation 18 formed by the belt.

It has been found in practice that angles of incline of the undulations18 along the length of the belt may be advantageously from between about/2 to 1 to ensure successful results. It is suggested that inclinationsand undulations involving greater angles such as a range of from about/2 up to about 3 and perhaps greater may be used but the specificacceptability and utility obtained thereby may readily be determined bythe man skilled in the art by non-inventive experimentation. Thecriticality of the inclinations of the undulations of the belt atpredetermined sections thereof is a factor of the specific state of thecooled molten sulphur and the viscosity thereof at the point ofinclination. The inclinations may be such that in the light of the stateof the cooled or partially cooled molten sulphur material the force ofgravity provided by the degree of inclination of the undulation does notcounteract or nullify the velocity of the material on the belt 3. Moltensulphur of varying viscosities may be found in any one of the poolsformed along the belt. This is not necessarily a problem in practice butpreferably uniform distribution of the sulphur pools should be formedalong the transverse section of the belt 3. The formation of upstandinglips for the purpose of arresting the transverse flow of the moltensulphur would encourage the formation of pools of uniform depth so as toprovide in turn sulphur pools of substantially uniform viscosity. Asindicated the sulphur pools are formed in undulations at predeterminedsections of the belt 3. Although the depth of the pools is non-uniform,the thickness of the layers of sulphur on the belt 3 which result fromthe pool formaion is nevertheless of substantial uniformity. A general.sentral sagging of the belt 3 which is generally known it the art asdishing should be avoided since this Lends to prevent the formation atthe side areas of the melt 3 of layers of sulphur of substantiallyuniform thickness. indeed, with this undesirable formation of the beltthin sections or layers of sulphur are formed which are readily friableand hence result in an undesirtble final product.

ln the development and experimentation which led to the completion ofthe successful method and apparatus laught herein. a number ofdifferentbelt materials were \IOl'lSld6f6d. It has been found that there is acertain criticality in the material which should be used in the belt onwhich the sulphur layer is formed. This criticality relates to thenecessity that the belt surface should be such as to provide and permita completely wetted turface as opposed to that which is generally termeda headed surface. Best results in terms of inhibiting Itirm sulphuradherence to the belt surface and in terms If providing effectivelubrication as between the belt iurface and the non-movable structuresso as to reduce the co-efficient of friction therebetween can best beibtained by a surface which is completely wetable.

Example I set out below provides specific details of method andapparatus aspects of the present invention which have been found toprovide good results in pracice.

EXAMPLE I [450 1800 long tons per day. l2-l4 long tons per hour 112 feet(endless) otal capacity of plant I? slating units) upacitv of oneslating unit ielt length total Effective exposed surface lOO feet .engthof Horizontal surface 80 feet l.ength of inclined surface .10 feet Beltwidth n inches Belt speed b7 feet/minute Uniroyal Nyply 140 b 12 feetThe details provided in the above Example I should D6 regarded asexamplary only of the teachings herein. it may also be noted that theterm slating which apraears in Example I is a term which is generallyused by men skilled in the art when referring to the cooling andlolidification of layers of molten sulphur which provide itate-likeformations as a final product.

The sulphur curves shown in FIG. of the drawings ire provided to moreclearly show the operating sul- "inur temperature range upon its initialapplication to the belt 3. The range shown in the figure extends from155 1Z65F but the upper and lower limits of this range may vary fromtime to time.

lt may be seen that under steady state conditions the vertical rise orinclination of the undulations over which the sulphur will pass is afunction of belt speed, liquid viscosity and angle of incline. With thepreviously mentioned conditions constant, the liquid level of the poolson the belt on the upstream side of the high point of the inclinationwill rise until the rate of carryover of the sulphur on the moving beltequals the rate of sulphur fed onto the belt and at that time theoperation of the process will attain a steady and constant 5 state ofoperation. In this manner sulphur pools are formed upstream of the highpoints of apexes of the undulations along the length of the belt travel.As the belt carries sulphur from one pool to the next the sulphurbecomes solid or semi-solid and upon passing into the next pool anadditional layer or lamination of sulphur carries over with the belt. Inpassing the total distanceof the belt travel the thickness of thesulphur deposit is thus considerably increased with no apparentseparation of the laminations. The pools formed also allow the sulphuradditional cooling time while it is on the belt and thus aid in reducingtotal belt length. Additionally, the sulphur pools are useful incontrolling the distribution of sulphur across the full width of thebelt. This has permitted simplification of the total system of sulphurcooling and solidification as weirs for controlling initial flow ofsulphur onto the belt are not required. Guide pans may be placed underthe moving belt to hold the edges of the belt higher than the majorsurface thereof thus preventing liquid sulphur from flowing transverselyfrom the belt.

After the partially cooled and semi-solidified layer of sulphur haspassed through the quenching section it passes up the inclined surface34 of the belt. As previously indicated this length of travel of thesulphur layer permits the draining of surface water therefrom which hasbeen picked up from the quenching section 20. For the purpose ofejecting or delivering the final product from the point D on theapparatus the layer of sulphur may usefully be cut or sliced lengthwisebefore it reaches the point D thus facilitating the efficient deliverytherefrom. One embodiment of the invention envisages the use of rotatingcutters C disposed after the quenching section as shown in FIG. 2.However, an alternative arrangement provides only for the disposition ofa plurality of tire structures disposed transversely of the sulphurlayer and in essentially the same position as the cutters C. The tirestructures are brought to bear on the surface of the cooled sulphur soas to guide it in an upward direction along the inclined path shown inFIG. 1. No preliminary cutting of the sulphur layer is necessary toensure successful distribution from the apparatus but some operators mayprefer to cut as a matter of desired practice.

The refinements and the improvements in sulphur cooling andsolidification presented herein are believed to provide a distinctadvance in the art and one which may well benefit industry and thepublic generally.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A method of solidifying molten sulphur comprising the steps of:

a. providing a movable endless member which is so surfaced as to inhibitthe adherence of sulphur thereto;

b. forming on said member a plurality of separate and distinctundulations which are shaped so as to form at least three pools ofmolten sulphur thereon;

c. feeding molten sulphur onto said member from a feeding section at apredetermined rate such that a separate and distinct pool of moltensulphur is caused to form within each of said undulations;

d. maintaining the speed of said member in relation to the feed rate ofsaid sulphur and in relation to the angle and length of the surface ofsaid undulations remote from said feeding section so that mol-' tensulphur forms into a layer and solidifies on said member as it is causedto pass through said pools and so that in continuous operation aconstant level of molten sulfur in said pools is maintained;

e. providing a bath of water below said member of a depth sufficient topartially support said member and subjecting said bath water to arecirculation and cooling treatment; and

f. delivering cooled sulphur in a stage of solidification from thesurface of said movable member.

2. A method of solidifying molten sulphur as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe angle of inclination in the undulation extending upwardly and awayfrom said feeding 10 section is within the range of from about 92 toabout 3.

3. A method of solidifying molten sulphur as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe angle of inclination of the undulation extending upwardly and awayfrom said feeding section is about about 1.

4. A method of solidifying molten sulphur as claimed in 1 wherein thecooled and solidified layer of sulphur formed on said member issubjected to a quenching action by immersion in a bath of water beforeit is ejected from said member.

5. A method of solidifying molten sulphur as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe molten sulphur is subjected to a preliminary cooling step to reduceit to a temperature of between about 255F and about 265F before it isfed onto the said member.

1. A METHOD OF SOLIDIFYING MOLTEN SULPHUR COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: A.PROVIDING A MOVABLE ENDLESS MEMBER WHICH IS SO SURFACED AS TO INHIBITTHE ADHERENCE OF SULPHUR THERETO, B. FORMING ON SAID MEMBER A PLURALITYOF SEPARATE AND DISTINCT UNDULATIONS WHICH ARE SHAPED SO AS TO FORM ATLEAST THREE POOLS OF MOLTEN SULPHUR THEREON, C. FEEDING MOLTEN SULPHURONTO SAID MEMBER FROM A FEEDING SECTION AT A PREDETERMINED RATE SUCHTHAT A SEPARATE AND DISTINCT POOL OF MOLTEN SULPHUR IS CAUSED TO FORMWITHIN EACH PF SAID INDULATIONS, D. MAINTAINING THE SPEED OF SAID MEMBERIN RELATION TO THE FEED RATE OF SAID SULPHUR AND IN RELATION TO THEANGLE AND LENGTH OF THE SURFACE OF SAID UNDULATIONS REMOTE FROM SAIDFEEDING SECTION SO THAT MOLTEN SULPHUR FORMS INTO A LAYER AND SOLIDIFIESON SAID MEMBER AS IT IS CAUSED TO PASS THROUGH SAID POOLS AND SO THAT INCONTINUOUS OPERATION A CONSTANT LEVEL OF MOLTEN SULFUR IN SAID POOLS ISMAINTAINED, E. PROVIDING A BATH OF WATER BELOW SAID MEMBER OF A DEPTHSUFFICIENT TO PARTIALLY SUPPORT SAID MEMBER AND SUBJECTING SAID BATHWATER TO A RECIRCULATION AND COOLING TREATMENT, AND F. DELIVERING COOLEDSULPHUR IN A STAGE OF SOLIDIFICATION FROM THE SURFACE OF SAID MOVABLEMEMBER.
 2. A method of solidifying molten sulphur as claimed in claim 1wherein the angle of inclination in the undulation extending upwardlyand away from said feeding section is within the range of from about1/2 * to about 3*.
 3. A method of solidifying molten sulphur as claimedin claim 1 wherein the angle of inclination of the undulation extendingupwardly and away from said feeding section is about about 1*.
 4. Amethod of solidifying molten sulphur as claimed in 1 wherein the cooledand solidified layer of sulphur formed on said member is subjected to aquenching action by immersion in a bath of water before it is ejectedfrom said member.
 5. A method of solidifying molten sulphur as claimedin claim 1 wherein the molten sulphur is subjected to a preliminarycooling step to reduce it to a temperature of between about 255*F andabout 265*F before it is fed onto the said member.